The company, renowned for being one of the first major platforms requiring women to make the first move, is collaborating with Morgan Stanley’s investment bankers to explore potential sale options, as per the sources, who requested anonymity because the discussions are confidential.
Sources warned that there is no guarantee of a deal, and Bumble may opt to remain independent.
Bumble has not yet responded to requests for comment. Morgan Stanley and Blackstone, which holds approximately 22% of Bumble according to LSEG data, also declined to comment.
Shares of Bumble, headquartered in Austin, Texas, have decreased by 48% over the past year, bringing its market capitalization to $388 million. Founded in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe Herd, a co-founder of Tinder, Bumble is built around a “women-first” philosophy in online dating. Wolfe Herd, who became the youngest woman to take a company public in the U.S. when Bumble listed in 2021, returned as CEO in March 2025 after stepping down in 2023.
Blackstone acquired a majority stake in MagicLab, Bumble’s parent company, in 2019, valuing the business at around $3 billion. The company was subsequently rebranded as Bumble Inc. and went public in February 2021 at a valuation exceeding $7 billion. This month, affiliates of Blackstone sold $28.2 million worth of Bumble shares.
PAYING USERS DECLINE
Bumble is experiencing challenges with slowing growth and a decline in users. The total number of paying users dropped over 11% in the full year 2025 to approximately 3.7 million, while annual revenue fell by nearly 10% to around $966 million. In the first quarter of 2026, paying users decreased by about 20% year-over-year as the company reduced accounts with lower engagement.
Larger competitor Match Group has also experienced slower growth, yet its market value has risen by about 12% in the past year.
Bumble has attempted to counteract the decrease in users by increasing prices and enhancing monetization, with average revenue per paying user seeing modest growth. Nevertheless, analysts indicate that the company is facing increasing competition, changing user preferences, and a broader weariness with dating apps, particularly among younger demographics.
The company’s motto, “Built for Women, Better for Everyone,” which has characterized its women-first branding, was once a pivotal competitive asset, but analysts now view it as less unique, given the evolving behaviors of users in the online dating space.
Bumble has diversified beyond dating with features like Bumble For Friends, a social networking option, and Bumble Bizz, aimed at professional networking, although these offerings constitute only a small fraction of its overall business.
